Professor Bay is an Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder. She was a Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellow working with Professor Sujit Datta at Princeton University on investigating structure-property relationships of engineered living materials. She received her Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering working with Professor Alfred Crosby on quantifying the mechanical properties of ultrathin glassy polymer films. She received her B.S. in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2014. When not in the lab or the office, she is lifting, watching a show, solving a sudoku, or chilling with her cats, Jax and Koa.
Graduate Students
Samson Adelani
Samson Adelani is a second year Ph.D. student in the Materials Science and Engineering Program. He did his undergraduate study in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria, where he studied the effect of pre-weld heat treatment on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of artificially aged 8011A aluminum alloy. Moreso, he previously worked with the Advanced Polymer Composite Lab at FUTA where his research focused on the use of agro-waste in the development of polymer composites for novel applications. His current research focuses on the 3D printing of Engineered Living Materials (ELMS). In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, bicycling, and playing saxophone. He also loves watching soccer games particularly (premier league) on weekends.
Ava Crowley
Ava Crowley is a second year PhD student in Chemical Engineering. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University where she studied electromagnetic heating and extrusion-based 3D printing of synthetic polymer nanocomposites. Her current research focuses on mechanical characterization of synthetic ultrathin polymer films.
Alyssa Libonatti
Alyssa Libonati is a first year graduate student in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department. She received her B.S. in Biochemistry and B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from SUNY Binghamton. Her prior research experience includes work in photocatalysis and the toxicology of tattoo inks. Current research interests include engineered living materials (ELMs) and sustainable polymers, with a focus on determining the mechanical properties of these microbial-based materials. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys lifting weights, cooking, hiking, cycling, and learning about regenerative agriculture.
Olivia Pear
Olivia Pear is a first year Ph.D. student in the Materials Science and Engineering Program. She received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Berkeley in 2017. Prior to becoming a graduate student, Olivia worked in industry designing and synthesizing biopolymer hydrogels to improve the material properties of sustainable food products. Outside of work, she enjoys running, cooking, and being a beginner in many sports (climbing, skiing, pickleball, to name a few).
Undergraduate Students
Nicole Garza
Nicole Garza is an undergraduate student in Chemical and Biological Engineering minoring in Biomedical Engineering. Her interests include biotechnology and biomaterials, specifically their roles in improving human health. Her research in the lab focuses on how bacterial suspensions can directed to grow and adapt in different polymeric environments. When she isn’t studying, Nicole likes going to the gym, attending live concerts, hiking, and working on arts and crafts projects.
Lydia Flackett
Lydia Flackett is a fourth year chemical engineering undergraduate student. She is interested in studying polymer physics and renewable materials. Her current research investigates the practical handling of thin synthetic polymers. Outside of the lab, she enjoys going to yoga, finding new places to go hiking, and learning how to ski.
Owen Sabolcik
Owen Sabolcik is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in chemical engineering. He is interested in creating a positive impact on the earth through research and engineering. Owen is currently focused on materials science, specifically polymers and renewable materials. Outside of academics, Owen is usually spending as much time as he can outdoors climbing, hiking, and fly fishing. He also enjoys playing volleyball in between classes.
Pets
Jax
Jax is a feline lab technician in Chemical and Biological Engineering. He has lived in three states in his lifetime. His research focuses on understanding the nature of cracks by directly laying inside of them.
He is a vocal advocate for an open door policy and has been heard crying at doors until change is enacted. His favorite pastimes are sleeping with a paw over his eyes, going on walks on his leash, and playing with his toy duck.
Koa
Koa is a feline lab technician in Chemical and Biological Engineering. His current research focus is on how to play with his brother, Jax.
He loves to fall asleep on his humans. His favorite pastimes are sleeping, playing with his toys, and bouncing around the house.
Gizmo
Gizmo is a feline lab technician in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Intermittent Feline Napping. His research interests include string theory and attempting to prove that if you jump at a wall enough times, the particles might let you through.In his expansive free time, Gizmo enjoys observing avian wildlife (from a safe distance) and the culinary arts. He is also working on his lifetime goal to set a new record for the fluffiest cat on Planet Earth.
Lab Alumni
Teagan Kelly | CU Boulder UROP student | January 2023 – September 2023
Carlos Ruiz Gonzalez | CU Boulder SPUR student | Summer 2023
